"Finding The Right Boot!" The Piedmont Perspective, Vol 79, January 15, 2008
What's New?
My toes were frozen, my feet were numb and the pain shooting through my thighs was sheer torture. We've sent men to the moon, but can't engineer a ski boot that fits comfortably (or create a "Fast Track" lane that's actually fast - but that's another rift)! I'd only been on the ski slopes for a few short hours, but by mid-morning, I knew I was done. Big bruises were already forming on my shins and my right calf was so tender, I wondered if I could make it down the mountain without ski patrol coming to my rescue.
Slowly and painfully hobbling into the lodge, I vowed once again to take up snowboarding, if only to avoid those damned hard-shelled boots. Silently cursing my bony feet, the sub zero temperature and the manufacturers of ski boots the world over, I realized I'd have to return the boots as soon as we flew home. In the meantime, it was back to rentals.
"We'll figure this out together," Tom, the owner and proprietor of Montclair Sports, assured me when I unexpectedly showed up, purchase in hand. "I want to make sure that whatever boot you own, it 'fits you like a glove,' but more importantly, I want you to be happy. Don't worry, we'll find the boot that fits your feet."
What Tom intuitively brought to the process was a heightened awareness and a keen sense of responsibility to 'get it right.' As a result, I felt incredibly secure in his hands and I trusted his advice and his recommendations.
Like Tom, helping my clients find the 'right boot' and understanding their particular journey and their reasons for selling or for purchasing a home, is essential to the success of our relationship and to its outcome. I've yet to work with the Buyer who walked into the first home he or she saw and said, "Close enough. This one will do. Would you prefer cash and how soon can I move in?"
I have; however, worked with Buyers who specifically bought a house for their kids, for the schools, for a new job, for a home-based profession, for a hobby, for a garage, for a view, for its potential, for its value, for its location, for the weather, for a grand piano, for an art collection, for retirement, for an aging parent, for a new baby, for a returning college graduate, for an au pair, for a gazebo, for a yard, or for a cherished pet (the adjoining neighbor was the dog's sitter).
Choosey? You bet and with good reason. A home is more than a simple investment - it's where you live your life! Whatever the compelling reason for purchasing or selling a home, the motivation is uniquely yours and it's always the right choice. You may have one reason or you may have many. Either way, my job is to help you clarify and achieve those goals to the best of my ability. Listening to your concerns - without judgement - is part of the process. Assuring your sense of comfort and understanding my responsibility to 'get it right' is as important to me as it is to you. I look forward to working with you.
And thanks Tom, for service above and beyond. I'll never shop for sporting goods anywhere else but Montclair Sports.
Now can you fix the Fast Track lanes on the Bay Bridge?
What's Coming?
Anian Tunney has just listed 57 Lincoln Avenue, near Crocker Park. This exceptional Normandy-styled home features 5bdrms/5++bths, elegant living and dining rooms, stunning kitchen leading to inviting stone patio and beautiful tiered gardens, au pair/guest suite down and indoor/outdoor children's play area. This truly beautiful home in the heart of Piedmont is pitch perfect! Shown by appointment only! Price: $3,450,000 www.grubbco.com
Mindy Scott's Traditional listing at 139 Waldo Avenue sits on one of Piedmont's most coveted blocks, offering instant community and a fabulous central Piedmont location. Featuring 4+bdrms/3bths, elegant formal rooms and a charming, open kitchen; this classic home is priced at $1,995,000. Open Sunday 2-4:30pm. www.grubbco.com
Don't miss Liz Dickson's wonderful new listing at 341 El Cerrito Avenue in Central Piedmont. Just steps from the Recreation Center, the Community Pool and the Piedmont Middle and High Schools, this charming and inviting home has been completely rebuilt from stem to stern and is turn-key ready! Featuring 3bdrms/2.5bths, study, large kitchen/family room, open floor plan, sun filled spaces and a view of Mount Tamalpais, this is a surprisingly spacious home that lives big! Thanks to local Piedmont contractor Frank Silver and his wife, Paula,this home's thoughtful renovation was truly a "labor of love"!
Price: $1,695,000. Open Sunday 2-4:30pm. www.grubbco.com
(Good news! The Silvers work on other people's projects as well! Franks and Paula can be reached at: www.fmsprojectsinc.com )
What's Pending?
Debra Dryden's beautiful and magnificent listing on Monte Avenue never officially made it to the open market before receiving two hotly contested offers, putting it into "pending" status immediately. This is a prime example of qualified buyers recognizing value in this marketplace and acting on their good instincts.
Good homes will always find ready, willing and able buyers!
Don't forget these good values still waiting to find their buyers and open to your offer: 633 Moraga Avenue - $1,195,000, 450 Hampton Road - $1, 295,000, 58 Crest Road - $2,038,888, 125 Estates Drive - $1,349,000 and 204 Hillside Avenue - $1,900,000.
What's Happening?
The availability of Jumbo Loans (those loans over the current conforming loan limit of $625,500) are returning to the marketplace and that's good news for those of us living in higher end markets such as Piedmont, Crocker Highlands, Rockridge, Montclair, Claremont and Berkeley and those of you wishing to buy. (As an aside, these higher-end neighborhoods have remained relatively stable in the face of softening values in many surrounding areas.)
While I often recommend working with an experienced mortgage broker to secure a loan, these newer Jumbo Loans are more likely to originate through private banking via Bank of America, Wells Fargo and First Republic Bank. It may be well worth a phone call to your local banker to see if you qualify for these higher purchase or home equity loans!
What's Fun!
Maybe it's just me, but I'm thrilled when the kids go back to school and I can resume my schedule which includes walking with friends, my husband, or our black Labrador, Buck. It isn't fancy, but it's fun connecting with others and getting a bit of exercise along the way.
This morning, my friends and I took our dogs and walked the Lafayette Reservoir. Last night, it was the hills of Piedmont and on Sunday, the trails above Skyline Boulevard. With days (and evenings) as warm as these, there's no good excuse not to take advantage of our stunning scenery.
The Piedmont Plug!
Having sung the praises of Tom Revelli of Montclair Sports above, it's only fair to give credit where credit is due. Montclair Sports offers both purchases and rentals of ski and snowboarding equipment, but it is also clear, they offer much more than the latest merchandise of every kind-they offer personal service!
In a world of corporate mega stores that have no accountability and whose employees have no experience with the product they sell, it's comforting to know that Tom stands behind his products, his staff and his store. Montclair Sports is a full service sporting good store, located at 1970 Mountain Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94611 and is open seven days a week! 510-339-9313 or montclairsports@sbcglobal.net.
See you next week!
THANKS FOR READING!
For more information about any of the properties or events listed above, please call me at (510) 339-0400 x264, or simply email me at jgardner@grubbco.com. I'd love to share my real estate tips and my experience in the Piedmont community with you!
Feel free to visit my website at JulieGardner.com for more information as well.
My toes were frozen, my feet were numb and the pain shooting through my thighs was sheer torture. We've sent men to the moon, but can't engineer a ski boot that fits comfortably (or create a "Fast Track" lane that's actually fast - but that's another rift)! I'd only been on the ski slopes for a few short hours, but by mid-morning, I knew I was done. Big bruises were already forming on my shins and my right calf was so tender, I wondered if I could make it down the mountain without ski patrol coming to my rescue.
Slowly and painfully hobbling into the lodge, I vowed once again to take up snowboarding, if only to avoid those damned hard-shelled boots. Silently cursing my bony feet, the sub zero temperature and the manufacturers of ski boots the world over, I realized I'd have to return the boots as soon as we flew home. In the meantime, it was back to rentals.
"We'll figure this out together," Tom, the owner and proprietor of Montclair Sports, assured me when I unexpectedly showed up, purchase in hand. "I want to make sure that whatever boot you own, it 'fits you like a glove,' but more importantly, I want you to be happy. Don't worry, we'll find the boot that fits your feet."
What Tom intuitively brought to the process was a heightened awareness and a keen sense of responsibility to 'get it right.' As a result, I felt incredibly secure in his hands and I trusted his advice and his recommendations.
Like Tom, helping my clients find the 'right boot' and understanding their particular journey and their reasons for selling or for purchasing a home, is essential to the success of our relationship and to its outcome. I've yet to work with the Buyer who walked into the first home he or she saw and said, "Close enough. This one will do. Would you prefer cash and how soon can I move in?"
I have; however, worked with Buyers who specifically bought a house for their kids, for the schools, for a new job, for a home-based profession, for a hobby, for a garage, for a view, for its potential, for its value, for its location, for the weather, for a grand piano, for an art collection, for retirement, for an aging parent, for a new baby, for a returning college graduate, for an au pair, for a gazebo, for a yard, or for a cherished pet (the adjoining neighbor was the dog's sitter).
Choosey? You bet and with good reason. A home is more than a simple investment - it's where you live your life! Whatever the compelling reason for purchasing or selling a home, the motivation is uniquely yours and it's always the right choice. You may have one reason or you may have many. Either way, my job is to help you clarify and achieve those goals to the best of my ability. Listening to your concerns - without judgement - is part of the process. Assuring your sense of comfort and understanding my responsibility to 'get it right' is as important to me as it is to you. I look forward to working with you.
And thanks Tom, for service above and beyond. I'll never shop for sporting goods anywhere else but Montclair Sports.
Now can you fix the Fast Track lanes on the Bay Bridge?
What's Coming?
Anian Tunney has just listed 57 Lincoln Avenue, near Crocker Park. This exceptional Normandy-styled home features 5bdrms/5++bths, elegant living and dining rooms, stunning kitchen leading to inviting stone patio and beautiful tiered gardens, au pair/guest suite down and indoor/outdoor children's play area. This truly beautiful home in the heart of Piedmont is pitch perfect! Shown by appointment only! Price: $3,450,000 www.grubbco.com
Mindy Scott's Traditional listing at 139 Waldo Avenue sits on one of Piedmont's most coveted blocks, offering instant community and a fabulous central Piedmont location. Featuring 4+bdrms/3bths, elegant formal rooms and a charming, open kitchen; this classic home is priced at $1,995,000. Open Sunday 2-4:30pm. www.grubbco.com
Don't miss Liz Dickson's wonderful new listing at 341 El Cerrito Avenue in Central Piedmont. Just steps from the Recreation Center, the Community Pool and the Piedmont Middle and High Schools, this charming and inviting home has been completely rebuilt from stem to stern and is turn-key ready! Featuring 3bdrms/2.5bths, study, large kitchen/family room, open floor plan, sun filled spaces and a view of Mount Tamalpais, this is a surprisingly spacious home that lives big! Thanks to local Piedmont contractor Frank Silver and his wife, Paula,this home's thoughtful renovation was truly a "labor of love"!
Price: $1,695,000. Open Sunday 2-4:30pm. www.grubbco.com
(Good news! The Silvers work on other people's projects as well! Franks and Paula can be reached at: www.fmsprojectsinc.com )
What's Pending?
Debra Dryden's beautiful and magnificent listing on Monte Avenue never officially made it to the open market before receiving two hotly contested offers, putting it into "pending" status immediately. This is a prime example of qualified buyers recognizing value in this marketplace and acting on their good instincts.
Good homes will always find ready, willing and able buyers!
Don't forget these good values still waiting to find their buyers and open to your offer: 633 Moraga Avenue - $1,195,000, 450 Hampton Road - $1, 295,000, 58 Crest Road - $2,038,888, 125 Estates Drive - $1,349,000 and 204 Hillside Avenue - $1,900,000.
What's Happening?
The availability of Jumbo Loans (those loans over the current conforming loan limit of $625,500) are returning to the marketplace and that's good news for those of us living in higher end markets such as Piedmont, Crocker Highlands, Rockridge, Montclair, Claremont and Berkeley and those of you wishing to buy. (As an aside, these higher-end neighborhoods have remained relatively stable in the face of softening values in many surrounding areas.)
While I often recommend working with an experienced mortgage broker to secure a loan, these newer Jumbo Loans are more likely to originate through private banking via Bank of America, Wells Fargo and First Republic Bank. It may be well worth a phone call to your local banker to see if you qualify for these higher purchase or home equity loans!
What's Fun!
Maybe it's just me, but I'm thrilled when the kids go back to school and I can resume my schedule which includes walking with friends, my husband, or our black Labrador, Buck. It isn't fancy, but it's fun connecting with others and getting a bit of exercise along the way.
This morning, my friends and I took our dogs and walked the Lafayette Reservoir. Last night, it was the hills of Piedmont and on Sunday, the trails above Skyline Boulevard. With days (and evenings) as warm as these, there's no good excuse not to take advantage of our stunning scenery.
The Piedmont Plug!
Having sung the praises of Tom Revelli of Montclair Sports above, it's only fair to give credit where credit is due. Montclair Sports offers both purchases and rentals of ski and snowboarding equipment, but it is also clear, they offer much more than the latest merchandise of every kind-they offer personal service!
In a world of corporate mega stores that have no accountability and whose employees have no experience with the product they sell, it's comforting to know that Tom stands behind his products, his staff and his store. Montclair Sports is a full service sporting good store, located at 1970 Mountain Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94611 and is open seven days a week! 510-339-9313 or montclairsports@sbcglobal.net.
See you next week!
THANKS FOR READING!
For more information about any of the properties or events listed above, please call me at (510) 339-0400 x264, or simply email me at jgardner@grubbco.com. I'd love to share my real estate tips and my experience in the Piedmont community with you!
Feel free to visit my website at JulieGardner.com for more information as well.
posted by Julie at
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